The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-13
A LEAPING FLAME OF LIGHT
The Broad Ripple Company Exhibits
Natural Gas at the City Limits.
Four Thousand People Gather at the End of
the Pipe Line to Witness the Dis
play and Hear Addresses.


Increase confidence in its further operations
About seven months ago the first well of this
company was drilled with partial success. 1t
MD not yield enough gas to impress some of the
stockholders with any possible gain for the city
by continuing work in that direction, bus the
originators of the company held to their first
Idea and prospected with better results They
were not overburdened with money but they
had pluck and perseverance which brought
them two good wells, two more of average
capacity, and the fifth which is considered the
best of the group. Without much ado the COM
pany little more than month ago took its
first steps towards bringing it's supply TO In
dsnapois. It's officers announced what they
would do and did il with little notice as has
followed their operations from the beginning
Gradually their pipe line approached the city
until the last joint laid at the corner of
Fourteenth and Illinois streets Saturday even
tng. 1t then tested under light pressure
from one of the wells. the result proving
satisfactory and warranting preparations for
somewhat pretentious exhibition.
This occurred last night. in the presence of
about four thousand people, representing every
slass of the city's population. Wealthy and
well-to-do merchants. lawyers, doctors and spec
ulators came there in their carriages. while
others, with mechanics, clerks and laboring
look the street cars. Every family in the imme-
date neighborhood sent its representatives, and
IN the vacant lots, from which good view could
De had of the expected burst of flaming gas, were
groups and groups of men women and children.
Patiently they stood in the darkness, waiting
Tor the show to begin. canyassing the gas ques-
lion all its phases, specializing upon the
forthcoming prosperity of the city, or guessing
1t what the Broad Ripple company would be
able TO do. 1t seemed to them the
end Of the vexatous agitation which
FOR months has been one of almost continuous
doubt as TO the city getting gas this year It
was not only the people there, but also the
thousands who were either not inclined to go to
the spot or prevented by limited street-car
service from getting to the end of the line, man
fested eager interest in the event. In all
parts of the city dozens and scores of people
gathered on the streets that would give them
.air view of the reflected light. The cars
rolled up Illinois street. leaving hundreds who
could not find even standing room in them,
waiting at the crossings. Everybody
the lookout for the Broad Ripple show.
A programme had been arranged, in which
the honor of lighting the gas was assigned to
Alderman Wright. The meeting of his board
detained him. and the superintendent of the
work performed that service. The gas turned on
and roared like that from well of 5000, 600
or g. 900, 600 feet pressure 1t could be heard
squares away. and with the light applied flame
forty feet long leaped forth from six-inch
standpipe. Between the pipe and the lower
End of the flame the space four or FIVE feet.
The crowd received it with cheers, and for two
squares or more the light was as clear as if
hundreds of gas lamps burning. Two
hundred feet from the pipe the
heat cheering to those who had
been shivering in the cold night air. None of
the company had any knowledge of the pressure.
They had arranged for pressure test but the
packing around the gauge burst early in the
rxfx, %hn~
out ascertaining the capacity or force that
brought the gas to the city. The pipeline had
been partially filed during the afternoon, and
in the evening the flow of four wells let into
the mains under full pressure at the wells,
which Mr.. Boardman, the president of the COM
pany. said was $40 pounds. It brilliant
sight and the thousands enjoyed it.
Some distance from the stand-pipe platform
for speaking had been erected, and here, after |
the people had looked at the flame for twenty |
minutes. the crowd gathered to hear Mayor |
Denny. who was introduced by Mr.. Bcardman |
The Mayor said that people had been |
impatient about having gas brought to our city. |
and that there had been a great deal of erumb- |
ling because the Council did not do things to |
achieve that result long ago AS for himself |
he preferred to wait until gas could be piped |
under such conditions as would do the city good. |
In wears to come he thought everybody would |
be glad because the Council in hurry.
The people had tonight demonstration that
gas was at their command, and for it they were
indebted to the Broad Ripple company. which
he congratulated upon its public spiritedness
that it wanted deal fairly
with the people in accepting an ordinance with
TO the crossing of the dotting of i. If
it should turn out that the schedule price is not
sufficient for the company to make profit on
its investment. then he hoped the Broad Rip
pies officers and stockholders would have the
benefit of any increase that might be made.
Judge Claypool spoke briefly in response.
taking occasion to praise the original promoters
of the enterprise for what they had done under
SO much douot and risk. 1t only the begin
ming of what the Broad Ripple company intend
ID to do that the people tonight. It had
more in store for Indianapolis He said the
Mayor the Council and the Trust company de-
yerved credit for their cooperation in standing
against monopolies and saying TO the world that
gas should belong to the people. Both speakers
were frequently applauded.
By o'clock the crowd began to dispense. but
for an hour longer the fame continued to burn
it was at the beginning, lighting the city
Whereabouts for several squares and Frightening |
the sky, to which the crowds in the streets down
town turned their attention as long IS the
lection could be detected
The Broad Ripple company was organized last
March, and since then has drilled five wells.
Another is coming in this week, and some days
sfterward the seventh will be due Contracts
Tor seven more are out and it is the company's
purpose to file its bond with the city and to be-
gin to pipe the streets at once.
Yesterday the Rowland well, mile ard
half from the city limits, was shot, producing
fame twenty feet high. The pressure is not
strong. but Mr.. Rowland says he obtained what
ne drilled for, enough gas for himself and
neighbors. The Trust company expects to have
from twelve to fifteen wells in by the
middle OF January. Its leases are in good terri
tory between Anderson and Noblesville To-day
a test of the Indianapolis company's line. far
as it is completed, will be made under full press
ure. On Saturday it was tested at $50 pounds.
the gas coming from the Shumach we'll. 1t
reached Fishers Station seven miles away. in
four minutes. It took just twenty five minutes
10 empty the pipe. the gas in which remained
for two hours without losing an ounce of the
pressure it had at the beginning of the test
George Riley. the expert of the National tube
works. says he saw a line well laid and
30 free from defective cauking
The Drowned Treasure-Seeker.
ATLANTIC CRY, n. j., Dec. 12-Patrolman
Aaron b. Steeiman of lifesaving station No.
20. this beach, discovered a body. at early
hour this morning. the sands. II is sup